Daydream with us for a second, Seafoodies!

Snow is falling outdoors your window, the Christmas tree lights forged a heat glow throughout the room and the fireside crackles softly within the background (or possibly it’s that good fire scene taking part in in your TV—we don’t discriminate between actual and digital). It’s the type of December night made for staying in, slowing down and cooking in your house kitchen. And that’s the place our Mussels with White Wine Sauce recipe steps in, to take an unusual winter night time and make it into an intimate eating expertise that rivals any fancy restaurant reservation—and in below one hour!

Now, be at liberty to right us if we’re mistaken, however now we have a sense that many residence cooks hesitate to make mussel dishes for one notably bushy cause (sorry, we couldn’t resist!).  You guessed it—we’re speaking about debearding, which truly sounds extra intimidating than it truly is. These fibrous threads (the “beards”) that assist mussels connect to rocks within the wild want a fast elimination earlier than cooking, however the entire course of takes about two minutes as soon as you realize the trick. We’ll stroll you thru the complete course of step-by-step within the following recipe, and earlier than the snow stops dancing within the home windows, you’ll have one other incredible method in your Seafoodie repertoire. Actually, after just a few tries, it should get simpler than wrapping up all these presents.

As soon as your mussels are prepped, the cooking magic occurs quick. These tender mollusks want nothing greater than a fast sauté with white wine, contemporary lemon and spices. Inside minutes, your kitchen fills with an incredible aroma because the mussels steam open in their very own flavorful sauce—a sauce so good you’ll completely want crusty bread to sop up each final drop. Serve the dish as a shareable appetizer that impresses dinner visitors or ladle it over whole-wheat pasta with a aspect salad for a well-rounded entrée with severe nook bistro vibes.

After just a few apply classes, we don’t blame you if mussels begin displaying up on the menu for greater than particular events solely. When in comparison with different bivalves like clams or oysters, mussels are cost-effective and, like their seaworthy counterparts, preserve a formidable nutrient profile. Remarkably low in energy, mussels nonetheless ship a whopping 20 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving plus iron and vitamin C to assist vitality ranges, immune system and cognitive operate. 

That’s precisely the type of nutrient density we wish to add to our plates for extra than simply momentous moments!

So eat up (or ought to we are saying tuck in)!

Print

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 kilos mussels, cleaned
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• 2 cups white wine
• ½ teaspoon pink pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• Crusty, whole-grain bread or baguette (non-compulsory)
• Lemon wedges (non-compulsory)

Mussel Cleansing Directions

1. Mussels must breathe. After bringing them residence from the shop, instantly unwrap mussels and examine them. Discard any mussel that’s chipped, damaged or broken. Additionally, discard any opened mussels that don’t tightly shut once you faucet them. Place mussels in a bowl coated with a humid towel within the fridge.
2. Simply earlier than cooking, soak mussels in contemporary water for about 20 minutes to allow them to expel sand.
3. Most mussels have what is usually known as a “beard” manufactured from fibers that emerge from the mussel’s shell. To take away it, maintain the mussel in a single hand and grasp the beard with the opposite. Give the beard a pointy yank towards the hinge finish of the mussel. (Don’t pull towards the opening finish of the mussel, or you possibly can tear and kill the mussel.) Discard the beards.
4. By hand, switch the mussels from the water right into a contemporary bowl of fresh, chilly water. (Don’t use a strainer, otherwise you’ll find yourself pouring the filtered sand again on prime of the mussels.)
5. Use a agency brush to brush off any further sand, barnacles or different oceanic attachments. Rinse the mussels below cool faucet water and put aside. Dry with a towel earlier than cooking.

Recipe Directions

1. In a big pot, warmth olive oil and garlic; prepare dinner for about 1 minute, till garlic is aromatic.
2. Add clear mussels, lemon juice, lemon zest, white wine, pink pepper flakes and basil.
3. Cowl and simmer over medium warmth till mussels are steamed open, about 4 to six minutes. Cook dinner time will depend on how lengthy it takes the mussels to open—it’d take much less time, primarily based on stovetop efficiency.
4. Take away pot from warmth and discard unopened mussels. Serve with crusty bread and lemon wedges.

Notes

Advised Utensils; Giant pot

• Creator: Dish on Fish
• Prep Time: 35
• Cook dinner Time: 10
• Class: Mussels